Avenues

Destination abroad: Science

Now that Class XII results are out, many would be looking at foreign universities for admissions. Natasha Chopra gives you pointers while applying for Science stream

It is midsummer, Board results are out and semesters are coming to an end. Students just out of high school are eager to start their college careers, and fresh college graduates are ready to take their studies and careers to the next level. This also means that universities have started opening their doors to accept incoming first-year students.

Given the myriad choice of courses, universities and study destinations, it becomes a mammoth task for students and parents alike to decide on which and what. So, to cut through the clutter, here are few suggestions for students who are planning to take up Science subjects, especially those who are looking at institutions overseas. It is equally encourageable for students to opt to study abroad and benefit from the most advanced resources available in the world.

When we talk about Science, it covers a broad range of subjects under its four major branches — Mathematics and Logic, Biological Science, Physical Science and Social Science.

Tip: If you are unsure which specialisation to choose, consider the topics that give you satisfaction and check its career prospects.

The writer is MD & co-founder,The Chopras

Guidelines

You can study full-time for UG, PG and/or diploma degree. Depending on the country (and chosen institution), duration of study will be three to four years for UG degree, and one to two years for PG. Diploma or certificate programme will last from six to 12 months.

For admissions at international universities, it is mandatory to clear one of the English language tests like IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE etc. For the US in particular, applicants for an UG degree are required to sit for SATs. Requirements vary country and university wise. Note that universities will have a set requirement for mathematical understanding depending on whether the main scope of the course falls within major science fields.

University application forms must be filled much prior to the application deadline. Scholarships forms should be filled six to eight months before application deadline.

With shift happening in the fields of innovation and technology, it is a smart decision to pursue Science.

Countries to opt for

To filter the tyranny of choice, one can start with narrowing down the top countries for studying Science and/or Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM). For instance, according to the 2015 Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard report by OECD, the 10 top countries which award the maximum number of STEM degrees per capita are: Japan, South Korea, Germany, Sweden, Finland, France, Greece, Estonia, Mexico, Austria, Portugal.

Top countries to study science-based on university performance in Science subjects as reflected on global university ranking systems like QS World University Rankings and The World University Rankings are: the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong-Kon, Germany, South Korea, Sweden, France, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Australia.

Tip: To benefit the best teaching, latest research and a great career start, choose the country and the university that has huge resources allocated for science subjects (R&D funding, teaching funding, etc).

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